Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity varicose veins do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they do not present persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema with or without intermittent ulceration.,The left hip scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to its size and stability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is able to feed himself and perform most self-care tasks with assistance.

The Veteran's hypertension, left gynecomastia with breast reduction, and scar associated with left gynecomastia with breast reduction are all remanded for further evaluation as the current evidence is insufficient to determine their severity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for scars of the right hand was denied as his scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, as his current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected scars are not rated higher due to their compensatory effects on neuropathy.,The Veteran's service-connected scars are not rated higher as they do not meet the criteria for a painful or unstable scar under DC 7804.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for right fifth metacarpophalangeal open dislocation with scar and service connection for spondylosis of the spine are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for increased rating and TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, a claimed rectum injury, and psychological disorder including PTSD as the evidence does not support current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar fasciitis and scar, right foot. The issues of hallux valgus and hammertoe deformity are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 22, 2012, for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder laceration injury with functional disability and a left shoulder scar, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities had their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder scars and SMC for loss of use of her right arm is remanded. The extension beyond December 1, 2016, of a total disability rating for convalescence following surgery related to service-connected residuals of right humeral joint injury remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a typographical error in the Order section of the February 2018 decision, where it denied TDIU effective August 15, 2017. The Veteran's combined disability evaluation did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial extraschedular compensable rating for his service-connected scar was denied as the available schedular criteria adequately described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection for a c-section scar was granted in September 2019, and the issue is now dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination, as well as obtaining all relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for carotid artery stenosis, fecal incontinence, a left buttock scar, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,No new evidence or changes in law were provided that could affect these decisions.

The Board has remanded the issues of ratings for right knee instability, arthritis, and scars. The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disability and erectile dysfunction are also being remanded.